First Stage of Gaza Ceasefire Plan Almost Complete, Says Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the opening segment of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire agreement is nearing finalization, adding that the subsequent stage must include the demilitarization of Hamas.
Upcoming Talks in Washington
The Israeli prime minister mentioned he would talk about the subsequent actions in late November in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza plans were formalized in a UN security council resolution on 17 November.
“We are nearing conclude the first stage,” Netanyahu said. “But we have to make sure that we attain the identical objectives in the next phase, and that’s something I am eager to reviewing with President Trump.”
European Leader Meets with Netanyahu
The prime minister was speaking at a shared press conference with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said: “The second phase must start immediately and then phase three must also be examined.”
Merz is the first head of state of a major European state to confer with Netanyahu in Israel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered warrants for arrest for the Israeli prime minister and his ex- defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in November last year for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
After winning federal elections in February, Merz had stated he would welcome Netanyahu to Germany despite the ICC warrants, but clarified on Sunday a trip was not currently being considered. Netanyahu disregards the warrants as “fabricated charges” from a “biased prosecutor”.
Terms of the Ongoing Ceasefire
Under the initial stage of the present ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and it has handed over all but one of 28 remains of hostages killed during the war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a demarcation line, resulting in them in control of 58% of the Gaza Strip.
Since the ceasefire was declared on 10 October, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of over 360 Palestinians, including an estimated 70 children. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Hamas attacks over the identical period.
Next Steps and Ambiguous Sequencing
Neither Trump’s proposals, nor UN Security Council resolution 2803 which largely endorsed them, specified a timetable transitioning the ceasefire into a lasting peace. Hamas is expected to disarm, Israeli troops are supposed to retreat more, and an international stabilisation force (ISF) is to be created under the authority of a “board of peace” of world leaders chaired by Trump, overseeing a administrative Palestinian council to run day-to-day administration of Gaza.
The timeline of these steps is vague in Trump’s plan or in resolution 2803. In his comments on Sunday, Netanyahu put his emphasis on Hamas disarmament.
“I think it’s vital to make sure that Hamas abides not only with the ceasefire, but also with their obligation which they undertook to disarm and have Gaza demilitarise,” he said.
Possible Options and Diplomatic Positions
Netanyahu mentioned the prospects of “alternatives” to the ISF, without explaining what those might be. He would not dismiss Israeli sovereignty of the West Bank, labeling it as a subject of “debate”, and reiterated that Israel was adamantly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the aim of the peace process supported by most European and Arab capitals as well as the overwhelming majority of UN member states.
International Criminal Court Charges and Judicial Proceedings
Netanyahu said the reason he would not be able make a reciprocal visit to Germany was the ICC arrest warrants, which he described as manufactured by the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, as a means of diverting attention from accusations of sexual harassment against him. Khan has denied any misconduct, but stepped down from his role in May awaiting the conclusion of an inquiry.
Netanyahu asserted Khan was “harming the standing of the ICC” with “unfounded allegations of deprivation and genocide” from a “corrupt prosecutor”.
Another court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is reviewing charges that Israel has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. In September, a UN autonomous commission of inquiry determined that Israel had carried out genocide.
Asked about the prospect of Netanyahu visiting Germany, Merz informed reporters on Sunday: “There is no reason to discuss this at the moment.”
